Fort Worth A-10 One-Family District Setback and Yard Requirements
The City of Fort Worth A-10 One-Family District requires a minimum front yard setback of 25 feet, a minimum side yard of 5 feet, and a minimum rear yard of 10 feet. For corner lots within this district, the side yard adjacent to a street must be increased to a minimum of 10 feet, while the interior side yard remains at 5 feet. These regulations are designed to maintain a consistent residential character and provide adequate open space for single-family residences [Section 4.703].
Primary Structure Setback Standards
The A-10 One-Family District is established to provide for detached one-family dwellings on lots with a minimum area of 10,000 square feet [Section 4.100]. All primary structures within the A-10 One-Family District in the City of Fort Worth must adhere to the following dimensional standards for yards and setbacks:
| Yard Type | Minimum Setback Requirement |
|---|---|
| Front Yard | 25 feet minimum (subject to Section 6.101(d)) |
| Rear Yard | 10 feet minimum |
| Side Yard (Standard) | 5 feet minimum |
| Side Yard (Adjacent to Side Street) | 10 feet minimum |
| Side Yard (Interior line of Corner Lot) | 5 feet minimum |
[Section 4.703(c)(1)]
Front Yard Setback Determinations
In the City of Fort Worth residential districts, the front yard setback is not always a fixed number but must be the greatest of the following three measurements:
- The building line as established by the recorded plat.
- The specific setback required for the zoning district (which is 25 feet for the A-10 One-Family District).
- The setback of the nearest building on either side that is the closest to the street, up to a maximum of 50 feet. This "infill" rule applies if houses have been constructed on at least 40% of the lots within the same blockface [Section 6.101(d)].
General Yard and Obstruction Rules
The City of Fort Worth requires that every part of a required yard remain open and unobstructed from its lowest point to the sky, with limited exceptions for architectural features.
- Architectural Projections: Cornices, belt courses, and sills may project up to six inches into a required yard [Section 6.101(a)(1)].
- Eaves: Roof eaves may project no more than 36 inches into a required yard [Section 6.101(a)(2)].
- Patios and Porches: Open porches or patios with vertical roof supports must be set back at least 15 feet from the front property line on local streets [Section 6.101(a)(4)].
Accessory Building Setbacks
Accessory structures on residential lots in the A-10 One-Family District, such as storage sheds or private workshops, must be located behind the rear wall of the primary residence [Section 5.301(b)(1)(c)].
- Standard Setbacks: These structures must generally comply with the same side and rear setbacks as the primary structure (5 feet side and 10 feet rear) [Section 5.301(a)(2)].
- Height Adjustments: If an accessory structure is taller than 10 feet, the City of Fort Worth requires it to be set back an additional two feet from the side and rear property lines for every one foot of height exceeding 10 feet [Section 5.301(b)(1)(d)].
- Carports: Specific exceptions exist for private carports in the A-10 One-Family District. A carport may have a reduced rear yard setback of one and one-half feet if it is no larger than 400 square feet and its roof pitch is not steeper than the primary residence [Section 5.301(d)(1)].
Sections Cited
- § 4.100 Districts Established
- § 4.703 One-Family (“A-10”) District
- § 5.301 Accessory Uses on Residential Lots
- § 6.101 Yards